Friday, July 31, 2009

Yesterday Ollie Bird received a letter. I did not know he had friends though I suspected something when I found him ordering himself notecards from this gorgeous lady on Etsy, Annechovie. Anyhow, here we are with a cup of tea and cookies, reading.

I think he may need glasses because he has to get very close to the paper or maybe the letters are too small for him, I wonder.

He hops onto the patio wall, I presume to ponder on the letter,

or perhaps to survey the area,

and he does that so regally!

And now a few moments of contemplation.

August and I go for a stroll that takes us by his breezy palm. He gives a little meow indicating that I should take a picture, and I do.

He likes to position himself on the narrow patio wall of a neighbor and just relax, look, analyze....

Ollie joins us. He has a determined look on his face.

A bold squirrel joins us and decides to challenge the boys who are many times his size and many many more times his intelligence.

Augustus goes up to the tree and warns him

while Ollie simply stares.

And there goes the squirrel not leaving any impression on Ollie. He knows they return. He knows all too well.So goes our Thursday sundown as we start edging our way into Friday, and Ollie asks that I share with you a poem sent by his friend (I don't know this friend).

FROM out the street of So-and-So,Oh wind, bring perfumes sweet to meFor I am sick and pale with woe;Oh bring me rest from misery!The dust that lies before her door,Love's long desired elixir, pourUpon this wasted heart of mine--Bring me a promise and a sign!Between the ambush of mine eyesAnd my heart's fort there's enmity--Her eye-brow's bow, the dart that flies,Beneath her lashes, bring to me!Sorrow and absence, glances cold,Before my time have made me old;A wine-cup from the hand of YouthBring me for pity and for ruth!Then shall all unbelievers tasteA draught or two of that same wine;But if they like it not, oh haste!And let joy's flowing cup be mine.Cup-bearer, seize to-day, nor waitUntil to-morrow!--or from FateSome passport to felicity,Some written surety bring to me!My heart threw back the veil of woe,Consoled by Hafiz melody:From out the street of So-and-So,Oh wind, bring perfumes sweet to me!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Last night I attended a very interesting talk on the topic of unity. It is such a fascinating theme and truly surprising that it is not of highest priority in every level of life and society, but that is altogether a different story. This prompted me to analyze cat boys' behavior. You may not know but it is not love and unity all the time. We had August for one year or more before Ollie Bird came around and as you may all expect, this introduction was not seamless. Still, the boys have tried and we do have moments of unity, sometimes love, generally concern for each other and camaraderie. Here are some examples from this morning and early yesterday evening.

"We wake up together, generally."

"We walk together for a little bit until we feel safe."

"We sit together sometimes, to chat, but back to back so no one thinks anything of it."

"We are still conversing if you are wondering. This is normal for us."

"We are still talking to each other even though I, August, am looking to see what is behind the planter."

"Now we are wrestling. Ollie thinks he can overpower me but he is so wrong."

"Now mommy wants to read a quote to us and I am all ears,...."

"...and surprised, I am sure you are not, to find Ollie pretending to be sleeping while mommy is reading."This is what we deepened on:

"...The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Day Star of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. The one true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words."

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Sometimes it is not so easy to wake up, even for the ever anxious-to-get-out cat boys. It must be the overcast skies.

'I suppose I have to wake up, not going to miss this opportunity', thinks Augustus.

"Something is requiring my attention? What could it be?"

And here comes the partner in naughtiness, Ollie Bird.

A fluffy tail and a svelte tail. Inertia overcome, August is going to venture out. Ollie has to find his own distraction. Independence!

A quiet morning, and mommy could not be more pleased. Even the birds had misjudged the time of day. We strolled, examined, jumped up and down, had treats, and meditated on the meaning of time. So we read a long passage an excerpt of which Augustus selected for the blog.

"...In the world of God there is no past, no future and no present; all are one. So when Christ said, “In the beginning was the Word” —that means it was, is and shall be; for in the world of God there is no time. Time has sway over creatures but not over God. For example, in the prayer He says, “Hallowed be Thy name”; the meaning is that Thy name was, is and shall be hallowed. Morning, noon and evening are related to this earth, but in the sun there is neither morning, noon nor evening." (Some Answered Questions pp154-156_

Off to work and wishing all a peaceful Wednesday sprinkled with occasional cat kisses!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

"Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation."(Selections from Writings of AbdulBaha)

A nice lady found Augustus meowing alone in the streets of Los Angeles two years ago in August. The vet thought he was a few weeks old then, which made him a July baby, but we wanted to name him 'Augustus', 'Auguste' in French, or 'August' in German, 'Gustave' in Swedish and 'Gussy Gus's in good old American English. So Gussy Guss is going to have a birthday soon. We pick the date.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Some days I have no idea what the cat boys are looking for! Searching in all directions....this way and that.

We will reflect today on this passage from our usual Hidden Words.

O SON OF MAN! My eternity is My creation, I have created it for thee. Make it the garment of thy temple. My unity is My handiwork; I have wrought it for thee; clothe thyself therewith, that thou mayest be to all eternity the revelation of My everlasting being.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Sometimes the question is not 'to be or not to be', rather it is 'should we face this way or that way?', and that is a very good question.

This way is useful for keeping an eye on the opposite sides of the street

but this way shows more order and unity.

This way does not seem to be very useful (only to check if something is stuck to our derrieres)

whereas this way we can give each other a lovely peck on the cheek.

So we are voting to go for this way, both heading in the same direction,

by each others' sides

walking this path together.

And then we read together,

During the last six thousand years nations have hated one another, it is now time to stop. War must cease. Let us be united and love one another and await the result. We know the effects of war are bad. So let us try, as an experiment, peace, and if the results of peace are bad, then we can choose if it would be better to go back to the old state of war! Let us in any case make the experiment. If we see that unity brings Light we shall continue it. For six thousand years we have been walking on the left-hand path; let us walk on the right-hand path now. We have passed many centuries in darkness, let us advance towards the light. (Abdul-Baha in London)